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Making your major league debut is stressful enough, but doing so while trying to preserve a no-hitter is a different kind of pressure.
Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa was called up to make his major league debut during the team’s 9-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday night at Globe Life Field. Tatsuya Imai pitched six hitless innings and reliever Steven Okert pitched one inning before manager Joe Espada turned to Santa to finish the job.
Santa, 23, pitched two perfect innings and finished the game by striking out Brandon Nimmo for the first strikeout of his career, completing the combined no-hitter. Santa became the first pitcher since 1900 to participate in a no-hitter during his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
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Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa and catcher Christian Vazquez celebrate after their team’s combined no-hitter victory over the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortés/AP)
In the bullpen, Santa said he was aware of what was at stake.
“Yes, there was some adrenaline,” Santa said through a translator. “I was aware of the no-hitter, but I was just trying to calm myself down from the bullpen.”
Espada said he was proud of Santa.
“Proud of Santa,” Espada said via MLB.com. “I think it’s a great night for him and his family. I’m very proud of him. I’ve watched this kid for years, and to have this moment is huge for the organization and for him.”
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Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa holds the baseball after helping his team win a combined no-hitter during their major league debut against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortés/AP)
Imai walked three of the first batters he faced, but calmed down to escape the initial jam. Okert also walked a batter during his inning of work.
The combined no-hitter was the Astros’ 17th regular-season no-hitter. They have 18 total no-hitters, including the postseason, as they threw a combined no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2022 World Series.
It was the first no-hitter in the major leagues since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined for a 12-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 4, 2024. No pitcher has thrown a complete no-hitter since Blake Snell did so for the San Francisco Giants against the Cincinnati Reds on August 2, 2024.
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Houston Astros pitchers Alimber Santa, Tatsuya Imai and Steven Okert pose with catcher Christian Vazquez after combining for a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortés/AP)
Ronel Blanco pitched the Astros’ previous no-hitter in a 10-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1, 2024, which also marked Espada’s first victory as manager. In fact, Houston has authored three of the last seven and five of the last 11 major league no-hitters.
The Astros (24-31) will look to build on the momentum of the combined no-hitter when they play the Rangers (24-29) in the second game of a four-game series on Tuesday at 8:05 p.m. ET.
